Cabinet

Recently I have been searching around for a new guitar and amp. I will be mowing lawn ALL summer and will make approximately $1000. I have decided I want a Ibanez SRX-500 Bass, and I am still looking around for a bigger better amp *prefferably a smaller cab* And today I was looking around Music123 and came across a Hartke VX-410 cab, and a Behringer Ultrabass BX3000T. The Hartke is rated to handle 400W and the Behringer is about 300W power. I also ready many good reviews on both products. Both of them together will cost me about $455. I personally think this is what I want to buy, but if you guys have any insights or opinions on either of these please let me know.

Reviews are great, and you did a good job checking that out before you buy. However, each reviewer submits a review based on their ears, situation, room size, and experience. Reviews are just one effective way of evaluating gear.

The best way is to find a music store, and play on the gear before you buy it. If you don't know much about bass, it would be a mistake to just buy something out of a catalog or online without trying it out first.

Yeah, thats what happened to me with the stupid guitar and amp I am stuck with for now. Rogue sucks...
So that is why I am gonna try to find a music store somewhere and play on it. Thanks for your advice.

I strongly second Jock's suggestion...skip the VX-410 and get an Avatar 410. Brand new, Avatar cabinets are a great value, if you can find a nice used one, you'll be even better off.

Looking for a good used head is a great idea as well. Used gear is a bargain these days and as fickle as we are about keeping our amps for very long, you should find a great supply of top quality used gear available to you. With carefull shopping and some luck, you can get one heck of a nice rig for $450.

I've never played through a Behringer bass amp, but have used their Vamp guitar amp modelers (for guitar) with great results. The brand gets bashed a lot for their business practices, which I didn't know about when buying my Vamp, but ultimately you have to decide for yourself.

I was thinking the same thing about the Hartke VX cab. It is true that reviews are opinion based and I would try before I buy but I would strongly suggest picking up an Avatar cab over a low end Hartke. You can't try an Avatar but you can return it if you don't like it.

I also believe someone who lacks experience can try plenty of gear that sounds great to them in a store but when the "new" factor wears off dissapointment can set in. I would heed the advice of the experienced.

I myself actaully own a Hartke VX-410 cabinet. Its a good cabinet for power, but it you want clarity, I wouldn't suggest it. I run it with a rogue RB-200BH 200 watt bass head that I got pretty cheap, so the combination of the two makes for plenty of power, which is what I needed at the time, but doesen't have the greatest tone. If you are going for hartke, I suggest a paper cone cabinet over their aluminum ones. They tend to break down and get real screechy after a while. From what I've seen though, hartke cabinets are built like a rock, but even so, rocks don't always sound that great, do they?

the Avatar b212 is $319 + $42 shipping.
Last I checked the Hartke vx410 is 300 + shipping.

If you're patient you can get an Avatar cheaper on e-bay. Dave sells them direct through e-bay to advertise. He sets his auction price lower there and you can usually win a bid for one without competition.

keep checking Ebay. I bought a Mesa Diesel 1X15 for $200. Other good cabs(Ampeg, Mesa, Aguilar, etc occasionally pop up for a bargain). They might have some nicks and scuffs on the tolex, but they'll get that way from gigging anyways.